even watching this at x0.25 speed, i don't think i could possibly stack anything that fast.posted by not_on_display at 9:38 PM on April 17, 2014

Notice the cups have 'evolved' holes in the bottom to minimize air resistance.posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:41 PM on April 17, 2014

Would it even be possible without the holes? Wouldn't the cups clump together?posted by Sys Rq at 9:42 PM on April 17, 2014

Beats me, I just can't see holes in the early clips and I can in the later ones.posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:44 PM on April 17, 2014

I also curious how the timer works for the doubles competition. Do the two competitors have to be touching or barefoot on a conductive floor mat or is there a big ground strap that's out of sight?posted by Confess, Fletch at 9:48 PM on April 17, 2014

When the Egyptians get their shit together again and modern Pharaohs want a tomb, this is totally how they'll do it. Enough plastic cups and enough twelve year olds and those pyramids will be built in 8 seconds.posted by twoleftfeet at 11:53 PM on April 17, 2014 [6 favorites]

X Games and IOC are you watching? I think Rubik's Cube is another worthy event.

Someone please get rid of Equestrian events in the Olympics. Pretty please.

Yes, I'm going to be on about this until the situation is fixed to my satisfaction or I expire. And I offer no guarantee that I won't fight this post-expiration.posted by vapidave at 12:33 AM on April 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

Even more impressive is that the link in the previously is from 2002 and still works.posted by marienbad at 2:12 AM on April 18, 2014 [4 favorites]

Despite the first champion being a young woman, the sport seems to be dominated by young men now -- so much so that there's a separate male and female divisions. Can anybody hazard a guess as to why men would be better at stacking things fast?posted by Georgina at 4:15 AM on April 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

USA!
USA!
USA!
USA!

We rule at something!?

Is this part of the core standards that both the right and the left are complaining about?posted by mygoditsbob at 4:56 AM on April 18, 2014

Can anybody hazard a guess as to why men would be better at stacking things fast?

I'm always amazed that stacking is a thing. But seeing that it's mostly kids makes it okay, somehow.posted by slogger at 6:04 AM on April 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

That kid Steven is a ringer...posted by xingcat at 6:17 AM on April 18, 2014

I read that title as "Speed Slacking" and though "I could do that."posted by Foosnark at 6:20 AM on April 18, 2014

The other day we were discussing the pros and cons of women's elite gymnastics favoring young teen athletes, but this is an example of a sport where I'm totally ok with the domination of prepubescent 12-year-olds.posted by drlith at 6:46 AM on April 18, 2014 [3 favorites]

my favorite -- the people in the background, kids and adults, who watch in amazement and throw up their arms in triumph when the kid finishes stacking. the enthusiasm is delightful and totally infectious.posted by cubby at 8:49 AM on April 18, 2014

It's interesting, the first time Steven Purugganan makes an appearance in that video I thought "huh, he could do that even faster." I mean, all the others looked like they were pushing themselves to the limit, but he seemed to just be working through the steps very precisely and even taking a little pause between sequences. It was no surprise to me at all to see him breaking his own record. It was a bit of a surprise to see him doing it over and over and over again, though.
Can anybody hazard a guess as to why men would be better at stacking things fast

Is someone here a Twitter pal of mine? Because just last night I was watching "Stacked" on hulu, which is about speed stacking. Its not the most interesting documentary in the world, but its also a bit fascinating.

The speed at which the kids do this, to me, is like they are all wizards. WIZARDS.

Confess, Fletch: the timer stops when they touch their hands to it. No grounding wires, so part of doubles is to make sure you stop the timer together. Its also the official timepiece of the 'cubeing' tournaments.posted by right_then at 9:37 AM on April 18, 2014

U.S.A., known for it's kid's high sugar consumption, certainly should excel at such a thingposted by Redhush at 10:00 AM on April 18, 2014

It's hard to believe that I've not pressed the fast-forward button by mistake.posted by Ivan Fyodorovich at 10:39 AM on April 18, 2014

I also curious how the timer works for the doubles competition. Do the two competitors have to be touching or barefoot on a conductive floor mat or is there a big ground strap that's out of sight?

It looks like in doubles mode each stacker needs to place their hand on their button (the section on each side of the timer with a yellow hand on it) when finished. The timer starts when both hands lift off and stop when both hands are back down. Example here.

In singles mode it looks like either button will stop the timer.

I'm impressed that they actually designed an official timing device specifically for the sport and then back it up with video verification. That's pretty organized.posted by JoeZydeco at 1:57 PM on April 18, 2014 [1 favorite]

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